The Women’s Gaelic Players Association (WGPA) has agreed a new partnership with Skechers Ireland, the shoe retailer Skechers will support the WGPA Hero award for the Player of the Month in ladies football and camogie. The award will be promoted through the Sunday Independent and social media.
The monthly WGPA Hero award represents the first joint initiative of this kind for ladies football and camogie, which reflects the ethos of the WGPA to unite both codes. This is a common sense approach and one which echoes the ‘one house’ approach to Hurling and Football on the Men’s side but which will be a long and complex path.
Skechers’ support for this initiative will acknowledge top performers across both codes each month throughout the championship season. They will be picked by a blend of player nomination and fan support through social media.
Recognition
In a player survey carried out last Summer, county players, 85 per cent of whom train at least five times per week, indicated that they would appreciate greater acknowledgement and recognition as athletes.
This partnership with Skechers reflects their commitment to enhancing and recognising the performance of top athletes across the world.
“We have the utmost respect for the WGPA and what they are trying to achieve for elite female GAA players in Ireland,” said Paul Gallagher of Skechers Ireland.
“We believe that the Skechers Performance Division is a perfect fit for the WGPA and together we hope we can further increase recognition, coverage and acknowledgement of county players.”
Status
“Skechers are a growing brand across Ireland, which reflects our own status as a relatively new organisation hoping to improve the welfare of players nationwide,” said Aoife Lane, Chairperson of the WGPA.
“Skechers are an established provider of performance footwear, which resonates strongly with our membership of elite performers in ladies football and camogie, many of whom carry out additional fitness training beyond that required for their county team.”
“One of our aims at the start of this year was to run a player of the month campaign, we are very thankful to Skechers for supporting us to deliver on this for players.’’
Winners for the 2015 season so far are; Maud Annie Foley, Miriam Walsh, Cora Staunton and Cait Devane.
Picture Credit: Jim Coughlan
Sport for Business is central to a new initiative linking sport, business and Government in promoting Women’s Sport in Ireland. See the outcome of our first Women’s Sport Group meeting.
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